330 MOSSES OF PRINCE CHARLES FORELAND. [Szss, uxxu. 
HEpATICé. ‘ 
Jungermannia quinquedentata, Huds.—Some shoots inter- 
mingled with Dicranum grenlandicum. 
Jungermannia Flerkei, Web. et Mohv.—Occurs sparingly 
in a tuft of the following species. 
Sungermannia minuta, Crantz—Common: in compact 
hard tufts, with a profusion of perianths. 
Blepharostoma trichophyllum (L.), Dam,.—Oceurs sparingly 
in company with the last species. 
ON THE PROTHALLUS OF LEPIDODENDRON VELTHEIMIANUM. 
By Wms. T. Gorpon, M.A., B.Sc. (Carnegie Research Scholar 
in Geology, Edinburgh University). Communicated by the 
Secretary. (Plate VII.) 
In the Carboniferous Epoch the lycopod alliance formed 
one of the dominant groups of plants, and contained not 
merely small forms with a habit similar to the modern 
representatives of the group, but also large arborescent 
forms. With such great differences in the vegetative parts 
we should expect corresponding differences in the reproduc- 
tive strobili which these plants produced. In Lepidocarpon, 
Miadesmia and Spencerites we see such specialisation in a 
marked degree, the seed-like form of the first two showing 
adaptation to drier conditions than lycopods now grow in, 
Others show a closer approach to Se/aginel/u im the organisa- 
tion of their strobili, though they are still far removed from 
that genus. In general the sexual processes are the last to 
be altered by changing conditions, so the gametophyte stage 
ought to show affinities with modern forms rather than the 
sporophyte stage. Unfortunately few gametophytes are 
ever obtained, and so this method of discussing affinities is 
limited. When, however, the prothallus develops within a 
spore wall, either permanently or until fertilisation takes 
place, there is a better chance for its preservation, and in 
Lepidodendron Veltheimianum we get an example of such 
preservation. 
In the Burntisland limestone blocks, strobili of a lyco- 
podiaceous nature occur in fair abundance, but so far none 
